Police Chief Studies Course On Personnel Requests

SUNRISE -- Police Chief John Soldenwagner said on Tuesday he was ``still deliberating`` whether to continue to fight for personnel changes that were rejected by Mayor Larry Hoffman.

Soldenwagner, who was suspended with pay by Hoffman in November, requested three personnel changes shortly after returning to work on Feb. 29.

Hoffman has refused two of Soldenwagner`s requests and has said he will not respond to the third.

The police chief said he has not decided whether to abide by Hoffman`s rulings, pursue the requests or take the matter to court.

Broward County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Price previously told Hoffman to reinstate Soldenwagner or go to jail. Price also encouraged the mayor not to interfere in the day-to-day operations of the police department.

Soldenwagner said the courts ``may very well be my ultimate recourse.

Shortly after his reinstatement, Soldenwagner asked the mayor to return his former secretary, Ginny Cangro, to the police department. Cangro, a 10-year department veteran, was transferred to the recreation department on Nov. 18, the day after Soldenwagner was suspended.

Soldenwagner also asked that Lt. Bob Biondolillo be reinstated as commander of the Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics unit. Like Cangro, Biondolillo was transferred after Soldenwagner`s suspension.

Hoffman rejected both requests. The mayor has argued that controlling police personnel is one of his responsibilities.

Soldenwagner also asked Hoffman to place acting Assistant Chief Ed Patten on administrative leave until allegations of corruption at the city maintenance garage are resolved.